wfn.org | PEACEMAKING OFFERING SHOWS INCREASE

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

3-Mar-95

95059          PEACEMAKING OFFERING SHOWS INCREASE 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering grew by 3.3 
percent in 1994 over the previous year, with Presbyterians 
contributing more than $1.5 million to the offering.    
 
     According to the Rev. Richard L. Killmer, coordinator of the 
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, this marks the 14th consecutive 
year the offering has increased and the sixth year the offering has 
received more than $1 million. 
 
     "I am very pleased, " Killmer said. "This has been a 
challenging year for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), yet there 
was a 3.3 percent increase." 
 
     As of Jan. 20, 4,395 churches out of a total of 11,416 have 
adopted the "Commitment to Peacemaking."  In July, the General 
Assembly will honor six presbyteries 50 percent or more of whose 
congregations have adopted the "Commitment" since the 1994 
Assembly. 
 
     Killmer theorized that efforts of the 1994 Assembly as well 
as those of synods, presbyteries and congregations to deal with 
conflicts and disagreements within the church contributed to the 
support of the denomination's peacemaking emphasis. 
 
     When the General Assembly declared peacemaking a special 
mission emphasis in 1980, it created a special Peacemaking Offering 
to support such efforts throughout the world. At that time, it was 
suggested that the offering be received on World Communion Sunday 
(the first Sunday in October). However, some congregations receive 
it at other times during the year. 
 
     The 1995 Peacemaking Offering poster is based on the painting 
"The Congregation" by artist Jonathan Green. It will be included 
in the 1995 Peacemaking Offering packet that will be mailed out to 
all congregations in April. 
 
     Distribution of the Peacemaking Offering makes it unique among 
the four Assembly-designated special offerings. Each congregation 
retains 25 percent of its offerings for its own peacemaking 
efforts; 25 percent is shared by presbyteries and synods; and 50 
percent is used by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. 
 
     The "Peacemaking Jubilee," the 1995 Presbyterian Peacemaking 
Conference, will be held Aug. 12-16 in Hempstead, New York. Held 
in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of the peacemaking 
emphasis and 50th anniversary of the United Nations, the conference 
is sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Presbyterians 
were active in 1945 in the creation of the U.N. and continue to 
support the international organization. 
 
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  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
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